A review into the out-of-home care system in NSW has found there is "profound lack of accountability and ineffective oversight", and it's "not fit for purpose". The report made 13 recommendations, including greater financial transparency. The NSW government will respond to the report findings in the coming month
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00:00At the moment, the Department of Communities and Justice has been allocated $2 billion
00:06for the out-of-home care system specifically and there were some issues around cost that
00:12were found.
00:13It found that the system is currently slow to respond to some of the best interests of
00:18the children and it is effectively punishing them, their parents and their carers through
00:23things like poor policy implementation.
00:26It also found poor data management and ensuring that information, correct information, crucial
00:32information is given to foster parents.
00:35It also found fragmented delivery and services due to some of the significant inconsistencies
00:40as it said to how the DCJ is managing some of those service providers.
00:46So many issues and concerns were raised around the financial cost.
00:52What recommendations did this review make?
00:57The review essentially made 13 recommendations including things around financial transparency
01:03between providers and foster carers.
01:07Also boosting accountability in the outsource sector with regular audits, performance audits
01:12and cost audits.
01:14It also recommended timely and accurate information is given to foster carers and timely access
01:20to funding and support services where there were gaps found in that review.
01:25It also said that resources should be shifted from the current crisis driven approach to
01:31early intervention.
01:32There are many organisations that are working in early intervention and have been calling
01:36for more funding.
01:37We did hear from the government a little earlier.
01:39Here's what the Premier Chris Minns had to say.
01:42We take this report very seriously.
01:44Clearly a major reform is required and the government's considering this report.
01:49I understand we're considering it this afternoon in one of our budget cabinet meetings and
01:53we'll be reporting very soon.
01:55It's complex.
01:56I know a lot of governments have tried to put in the reforms and I'm not suggesting
02:00that anything other than altruism or the best interests of the child have driven to where
02:05we currently are.
02:06But we also can't deny that it's not working at the moment.
02:11Now the system is also facing workforce challenges there.
02:14The review said that urgent reform was needed to ensure that there is retention and recruitment.